The Bermondsey Cinematograph Theatre opened in 1913, it was soon re-named the Cinema,though was commonly called ‘The Stork’ due to its close proximity to Stork’s Road.Seating was provided for just under 500 on a single floor.In 1929 it was operated by L. Posner & H. Pearl and was booked from theBiograph Theatre, in Victoria. The Jamaica Cinema had closed by 1935.The building became a whiskey warehouse for William Teacher & Co. In 1975,the owners of the warehouse were vacating the building and as acelebration to is history they re-opened the cinema for for 3-nights,screening films for the final time.

Just found this forum and thought I would add something of interest to you maybe?

My grandfather Mr William James Taylor and his son George (my uncle) owned the Bermondsey Cinema 120 Jamaica Road before it became the Stork Cinema. I have a copy of a advert placed in the Southwark recorder 8th March 1918 when the Films "Smith" a powerful Drama plus "His precious Life" Keystone Comedy and "The Secret Kingdom" (part 2) was to be shown on the Monday 11th March to Wednesday 13thAlso on Thursday March 14th 1918 to Saturday 16th "The Happy Warrior" and "The Grey Ghost" part2.

Jamaica road (Yesterday & Today)Todays picture is of Jamaica Road 1928 with the trams still running-quite unrecognisable the buildings at the junction with Abbey Street are still there this picture gives an insight to what the area was like all those years ago the war memorial and drill hall are on the left near to the corner with Abbey Street

Todays picture shows how the whole area has changed and this area is known as Old Jamaica Road

This picture recalls the old Post Office sorting office that stood in Jamaica Road opposite Southwark Park which covered a vast amount of the area. Now redeveloped.

Samuel Pepys records this area in his diary after visiting the Pleasure and Tea Garden at Jamaica House Cherry Garden Street in 1664 he noted that when he left that he was singing finely (obviously slightly inebriated)